Mail-bag catcher and deliverer.



No. 893,966. PATENTBD JULY 21.1908.`

H. H.. AKERS.

. MAIL BAG GATGHER AND DBLIVER'ER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Kvm

UNITED s'rnrn's lenti?ENry vomnes.

HENRY H. AKERS, OF CHERRYVALE, KANSAS, ASSIGN OR TO H. H. AKERS MANUFACTURING .COMPANY, OF CHERRYVALEKANSAS'.

i MAIL-BAG eA'reHER AND DELIVERER.'

Specification ef Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1908.

application files No'vember 25, 19m. serial No. 403,787.

5 andl State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Mail-Bag Catcher and Dehverer,

' of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail bag catching and delivering apparatus of that general class shown and described in United States Letters APatent issued to me on the 13th day of AFebruary 1906 under No.' 812471 The object of thednvention is generally to improve and simplify the construction of o both the track crane and 'car device thereby to increase their efficiency as well as to reduce the cost of manufacture. V

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for retaining the bag retaining jaws of the car device in open or operative position, and means for automatically releasing the jaw carrying arm from engagement with the car when said jaws are moved. to closed or inoperative position.

s A still further object is to reinforce and strengthen the'track crane by constructing the swinging bag supporting frame of angle iron and further to render the latter more positive and efficient in operation by the employment of `coiled springs for moving said frame laterallyto inoperative position.

Further objectsand advantages will ap* pear in the following description, it being un derstood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.` i ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a top plan view ofthe apparatus of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the apparatus in readiness to transfer mail bags.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the 4operating lever of the car dev1ce.

5 Fig. 4 is a side'elevation of the auxiliary'bag A supporting arm of the car device.

Fig, 5 is a sectional view of the spring actuated catch for lockingthe swinging bag supporting arm inv engagement with the car. Fig. 6 is an end elevation :of the bag delivery arm of the car device. Fig. 7 isa longitudinalsectional view showing'the construction of the sliding arnffthetrack crane. Fig. 8 is a front ele# vation of the bag supporting member or sta- 55. tionary device ofthe trackcrane. Fig. 9 is a frame being extended laterally beyondthe transverse sectional view of the lower crane arm showing the fingers for supporting the guy chains. .Y

Similar' numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures of the drawings. i

The'improved mail bag catcher and delivering apparatus of the resent invention includes a stationary trac device or crane comprising spaced standards 5 and 6 preferably formed of spring metal and having their lower ends threaded in suitable base plates 7 mounted on a masonry foundation 8, preferably formed of concrete, as shown.

The 4standards 5 and are rigidly supported in spaced relation to each other Aby suitable clamps 9 and 1() one of which con stitutes a cap and is provided with a socket 11V for the reception o f the adjacent trunnion being a similar bearing 13 formed in the llower clamp 9 and adapted to receive the lower trunnion of said swinging frame.

The frame 12 is formed` of angle iron, preferably T shaped in cross section, andincludes spaced upper and lower horizontally disposed arms 14 and 15 connected by a ver tical bar 16, the upper arm 14 of the swinging vertical arm 16 to forni a support for a cast ing or bracket. 17. The casting or bracket 17 is secured to the free end of the upper arm 14 by screws or similar fastening devices 18 and is provided with spaced transverse openings or apertures for the reception of parallel rods 19 and 20' between which is sifipported the mail bag to be delivered to a passing car. The upper bar or rod 20 is extended rearwardly and inwardly to form inclined braces elo 21, thefree ends of which are bolted or other- 95 wise rigidly secured to the upper arm 14, as indicated at 22. It will thus be seen that the rod 20 and integral braces 21 form in effect a substantially tri-angular frame.

The free ends of the bars or rods 19 and 2() are spaced apart to form spring arms which are normally held in parallel relation to cach l other by Vmeans of suitable rings or loops 23 which bear against stop lugs o r pins 24 carried by the upper bar 20.

Detachably secured to each ring s by a hook 25 is a chain, cable or other flexible medium 26 having a coiled spring 27 secured thereto and fastened tosuitable eyes 2S carried by the clamp or cap piece 10, said springs io. opposite ends of which are servin to swing the bag supporting frame lateral y to a position -substantiall parallel with the track 29 when the mail delivered to a passing'car, in the manner hereinafter described. l

Depending from the lower arm of vthe swinging frame is acasing or housing 31 in 1 which is slidably mounted 'anarm or bar 32,

the free end of which terminates in a horizontally disposed bag engaging jaw 33 the vpreferably delected. laterally, as shown.v The movable bag engaging jaw 33 coacts with a similar stationary bag engaging jaw 34 preferably formed integralwith the casing or housing 31, said movable jaw being normally and yieldably retained in contact with .the staltionary jaw by means of a coiled spring'35 one end ofthe arm '32 while the opposite end.

' thereof is secured to a I ing a correspondingly t y to vary jaw on the stationary jaw end of which is secured to the adjacent As a means for holding the movab e jaw in open position `there arel provided suitable trip levers 38 each having angularly disposed larms one of which extends between the jaws 33-and 34 and in thepathof the mail bag 39 carried by the car 40, the opposite arm of each trip lever being pivoted at 41 on the hand e 43 by means .of

stationary'j aw 34 and provided with a terminal operating handle 42. De ending' from the sliding arm 32 is a which the movable jaw 33 may be moved outwardly in spaced relation to the stationary jaw 34.

i in the position shown in Fig. 1 lof the drawings the ma' bag 39 o n the car will strikel the arm of the adjacent trip lever and swing the same inwardly thus causing the splring to draw the jaws together and grip t e bag.

The movable jaw 33| is provided .with a vertical extension or -arm 44 having a spring secured thereto and adapted to engage the adjacent ring of the bag 3() thereby to assist in holding said bag in convenient position to be engaged The stationary preferably reinforced'and strengthened by an by the cai' device.

` track device or crane is mclined brace 45which extends betweenthe standards 6 and ananchoring Vblock 46 simii lar in construction to the block 8, there be-v in inclined braces 47 disposed one on each si e of the block 8 and extending between the clamp 9 and suitable anchoring blocks 48. 4

Thev car device comprises a horizontally Disposed at the juncture ofthe s tationary arm49-is a socket 76 adapted to disposed arm 49 preferably vformed of metal and constructed 1n twose'ctions to produce an intermediate chamber ag 30 isI It will thus be seen that when the trip levers 33 are head 74 of a spring pawl 75.

The inner or ivoted end of the arm is provided with a tubular socket 51 which receives the pivot pin -of a bracket 52 carried by the car, there being a loop 53 fastened on one side of the arm 49 and to which is secured the adjacent end of a coiled spring 54, the opposite end of the spring being fastened to an eye or staple arranged on the inside of the car.

v'lhefree end of the bar or arm 50 is provided with a bag engaging jaw 55 which coacts with a relatively stationary jaw 56 secured to the free end of the arm 49, there being a trip arm or catch 57 pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the stationary arm 56 and similar in construction and operation to the tri levers 38 of the track device.`

Secured to t 1e outer face of the jaw 55 is a tubular socket or casing' 58 in which is pivotally mounted a horizontally disposed rod 59 one end of which is formed with an eye 60 while the opposite end thereof is bent upon itself and extended outside the casing 58 to form an arm 61 adapted to receive and support the mail bag 39 of the car device. Pivotally mounted in the eye is a ring 62 which engages the free end of the rod 61 and serves to prevent accidental displaceient of the bag 39.

The sliding bar 50 is provided with a longitudinally disposed slot 63 which registers with a corresponding slot 64 formed in the casing constituting the arm 49, and pivotally mounted at 65 on the bar 50 is an operating lever 66 having its lower end pivoted at 67 to an arm or bracket 68 depending from the arm 49 as shown. v

The operating lever 66 is formed with an elongated slot 69 so as to allow free play of the operating lever when the latter is moved to the dotted line positionshown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A coiled spring 7() connects the operating lever 66 with-a lug or bracket 71 on the arm 49, the normal tendency of said spring being to retract the lever.

Asa means for holdingthe arm 49 in operativeposition on the bar there is provided a locking member or catch 7 1 having its inner Aend-pivoted at 72 in a casing or ho'usm'g preferablycountersunk in the'car frame and having its outer end provided with a terminal inclined face 7 31 adapted to engage th The pawl'75 lis disposed within the chamment of the bar 50 so that when the bar 50 is moved inWardly,.'sa-id bar will engage and elevate the head 74 of the pawl and thus elefber of the arm 49 and in .the path of movevate the locking member 71 so as to permit the coiled spring 54 to move'th'e arm 49l and. its associated parts to inoperativeposit'ion within the car.

j aw 56 .and receive a depending rod 77 having'its free ...gend bent. .laterally and provided With 8. ter-lceases ltrip levers to clear the movable jaws 33 and par 55 when the latter are fored'in engagement with the stationary jaws by the-action of the coiled springs. p

As a means for steadying the movable frame ofthe track crane and preventing the same from swinging laterally by the action of the Wind when a mail bag lis in 'position l for delivery, there are provided suitable guy chains or -cables 80 each .having one end thereof anchored to the adjacent block 48 and its opposite end provided with a teruminal ring or loop 82 adapted to engage a hooked iing'er 83 depending from an armn84 secured to the stationary jaw 34.

The free ends of the arms 84 are provided with vertical pins 85 one of which is adapted to engage the terminal ring of one of the guy chains when the ring of the other chain is in engagement with the adjacent depending inger.

- Secured to the handle 43 is a transverse' -bar 86 having its opposite ends bifurcated to produce spaced lingers 87 the'ends of which are bent laterally., ga s shown, and adapted to disengage the adjacent ring 82 from thecontiguous finger .83- when the movable jaw 33 is released.

' When the track 'crane is positioned to de- Aliver a mail-bag'the operator places the terminal ring 82 of one of the guys over the pin 85 of the adjacent arm 84 and the ring of the opposite guy over the'terminal fingers of the handle 43, and forces the latter outward to l open the jaws'33 and 34.

As the handle "43 is moved longitudinally of the arm 3.1 the ring on the fingers 87 will pass over the hooked terminal of the adjacent depending finger 83 and thus retain said ring inl position on. the linger 83, andlin Y which position the guy chains 80 and 81 will I spring 35 will causethe fingers. 87 on the handle 43 'to disengage the' adjacent ring d 4revent swinging movement of the pivoted ame of the crane bythe action of the wind. When the,inovable jaw 33 is released the from the'fhooked terminal of the contiguous depending. .finger 83 `thus ermitting the spring 27 to swing the Inova lle frame lateraally to a? position substantially parallel with 4the track, as will be readily understood.4

In practice, the mail bag 39 is suspended fromy the rod61 of the car device and the latter swung outwardly with its free end projecting beyond the side of the car and 1n which position it-l is securelyheld :by the catch 71, in the manner before described.

The bag 30 is then laced in position between the rods 19 an 20 of the track device or crane with its lower end `engaging the clip of the arm 44 after which the rings 23 are lmoved laterally in engagement with the stop lugs 24 so that the tension of the springs 27 will be exerted equally on each end of the substantially triangular frame 21 of the crane' and thus maintain the swinging frame of the latter in a position substantially at right angles to the track.

is the car approaches in the'direction in* dicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 of the drawings' the mailbag 39 of the track device will engage# and trip the adjacent lever 38 thus causing the spring 35 to move the movable jaw 33 to closed osition and secure the'bag 39 on the crane, t e handle 43 in its rearward movement automatically releasing one of the guy chains 80, in the manner` before described. At the same time the bag 30 will engage the trip lever 37 of the car device and detach said bag from the rods 19 and 20, the mail bag in its forwardl movement dis-- engaging the adjacent ring 22 which latter slides over the curved corners of the trian gular frame 21 to the rear of said frame thus causing the spring 27 connected with the opposite ring -to swing the bag supporting frameof the crane laterally to a positionsubstantially parallel with the track, as before stated, -and in which position the mail' bag 39 may be readily detached from the clamping jaws 33 and 34 by exerting a longitudinal pull on the handle 43.

When'the trip lever 57 is moved to released position by the impact of the mail bag 30, said trip lever will swing laterallyA within the slot 79 so as to ermit the spring 7 0 to draw the bar 50 of t ie car .device within the chamberof the arm 49. i

VAs the bar 50 moves inwardly the free end i of the bar will engage and elevate the locking device or pawl 75 which in turn will re.- lease the catch 71 thereby permitting the spring 54 to swing the arm 49 carrying the mail bag 30 within the car. j

In setting the device the'operating lever 66 is moved in the direction ofthe stationary jaw 56 and the trip lever 57 swung outwardlyy until the free end thereof engages the adjacent surface of 'the movable jaw 55 and in which position the car device is again ready to'receive a mail bag from the track dev/ice or crane. l

rom the foregoing description it is thought that the constructionand operae' tion of the device will be readily'understood by those skilled in vthe art and further d e- I scri tion thereof is deemed unnecessary.

aving thus described the invention what isfclaimedis.: l'

1. In a mail ba catching and delivering apparatus, a oar I vevice mounted tovv swing into and outof the car, stationary an'd'movadapted to engage the pawl and release the locking device when `the trip lever is actuated.

2. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus, a car device mounted to swing into and out of the car, stationary and movable bag engaging jaws forming a part of the device, mea-ns for lockingthe car device in engagement with the car, a spring actuated bar carrying the movable jaw, anoperating lever operatively connected with the sliding bar, and a awl arranged in the path of movement oiP said bar and actuated by the latter to release the locking means.

3. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus, a car device mounted to swing into and out of the car, stationary and movable bag engaging jaws forming a part oi' the car device, there being a slot formed in the stationary' jaw, a trip lever pivotally mounted for swinging movement in said slot and adapted to engage the movable jaw, ,said trip lever being actuated by the impact oi' a mail bag thereby to operate the jaws.

at. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus, a car device mounted to swing into and out of the car, stationary and mov,- able' bag engaging jaws forming a part of the device, one of said jaws being an elongated slot, a trip lever p ivotally mounted for swinging movement within the slot and adapted to engage the adjacent jaw,

a spring actuated bar secured to the movable jaw, a lever for moving said jaw to open position, means for locking the car device in engagement with the car, means disposed in the ath of movement of the bar and actuated by the latter for .releasing the locking means, and means for automatically swinging the car device laterally within the car when the trip lever is actuated.

5. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with av car, an arm mounted to swing horizontally into and out of the car and provided with an interior chamber, a stationary bag engaging jaw se-` cured to the free end of the arm, a bar slidably mounted within the` chamber and provided with a similar jaw, a'trip lever pivotally mounted on one of the jaws'and adapted I *to engage the adjacent jaw for holding the jaws in spaced relation, a lever pivotally mounted on the arm and pivotally connected with the sliding bar, means for locking the arm in engagement with the car,- al awl disposed in thepath ofmovement o' the bar and actuated by the 'latter to release the locking means, and a lspring connecting the lever with the arm.

provided withl 6. In a mail bag catchingl and delivering apparatus, the combination with a car, of a ho low arm pivotally mounted within the oar and provided with a relatively stationary bag engaging jaw, a bar slidably mounted within the arm and rovided with a jaw co-acting with the stationary jaw, means carried by one of the ljaws for suspending the mail bag, a trip lever pivotally mounted on the (pposite jaw and including angularly dispose iingers one of which is adapted to engage the adjacent jaw, the opposite finger being extended to Jform an operating handle, a lever pivotally mounted on the arm and pivotally connected with the bar7 means for locking 3Q the arm in engagement with the car, a pawl extending in the ath of'movement of the bar and actuated y the latter to release the locking means, and means for automatically swinging the arm Within the car when the trip device is actuated.

7. In a bag catching and deliverin apparatus, the combination with a car, 0I a hollow` arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the car and provided with a relatively stationary bag engaging jaw, a bar slidably mounted within the arm and provided With a similar jaw, means carried by said cjaw for suspending a mail bag therefrom, a bracket depending from the arm, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the bracket and provided with a longitudinal slot, a pin extending through said slot and connecting the lever with the sliding bar, means for locking the arm in engagement 100 with the car, and 'a' spring awl arranged in the path of movement of the bar and actuated by the latter to release the locking means when the jaws are actuated.

8. In a mail bag catching and delivering 195 apparatus, the combination with a car, of a hollow4 arm pvotally mounted for swinging movement on the car and provided with a relatively stationary bag engaging jaw', a bar slidably mounted within the arm and termi- 110 nating in a similar jaw, a bracket depending from the arm and provided with means for engagement with a mail bag, a lever pivotally mounted on the arm and having a pin and slot connection with the sliding bar, 115 means for locking the arm in engagement with the car, means disposed in the path of movement .et the bar and actuated by the latter 'to-'.releasethe locking means, a spring secured to fthe interior of the carand con- 120 nectedwithfthe lpivoted vend of the arm for automatically swinging said arm within the car when the Vjaws are actuated;

9. In amail bag catching and delivering apparatus, ythecombination with a car, of an 125 arm pivot-allyfniounted for, swinging movement on the'l'car an provided With a rela-- tively stationary jaw, a bar slidably mounted on the' arm and terminating in a similar jaw,

. arodsecure'd to one ofthe jaws and having 13o the adjacent end of the rod, a lever pivotally j mounted on the arm and having a pin and slot connection with the sliding bar, means for locking the armin en agementwith the car, and means arrange in the path of movement of the sliding bar and actuated by the latter to release the locking means when the jaws are moved to closed position.

10. In a-mail ba catching and delivering apparatus, the coml ination with a car, of an arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the car and provided with a relatively stationary bag engaging jaw, a bar slidably mounted on the arm and terminating in a similar jaw, one of said jaws being formed with an elongated slot, an angularly disposed trip lever pivotally mounted in the slot and adapted to engage the adjacent jaw, a bracket depending from the arm, an operating lever having a pin and slot connection with the sliding bar, a lug spaced from the bracket, a spring forming a-yieldable connection between the lugv and lever, means for "locking the arm in engagement with the car, means disposed in the path of movement of the sliding bar and actuated' by the latter to release the locking means, and means for automatically swinging the arm andits associated parts within the car when the trip lever is actuated.

11. In a mailbag catching and delivering apparatus, the lcombination with a car, of an arm pivotally mounted for swinging move ment on the car and provided with a relatively stationary bag engagin jaw having a slot formed therein, a bar sli ably mounted on the arm and provided with a jaw co-acting withthe stationary jaw,.a trip leverivotally mounted in the slot and adapte to engage the movable jaw, there being an opening formed in the arm, a bracket slidably mounted within the opening and provided with means for engagement with a mail ba means for locking thev bracket in adjustegd` position, an operating lever having a pin and slot'connection with the sliding bar, aV catch secured to the car,..a spring awl dis# osed in the path of movement of t e sliding ar and actuated by the latter to release the ,ri-catch, and means for swinging the. arm Within the car whenthe trip lever is actuated. 12. Ina mail bag'catchipg and delivering apparatus, the co'mbinatlon with spaced standards, a framefpivo'tallj'.r y"mounted for lswinging movement on one of the\standards Y and provided with means for supporting a bag,- a "stationary bag engaging jaw secured to the fraie, a bar slidably mounted on the frame and lprovided with asimilar jaw', a

extending fr'om one of the jaws for engage- \ment with a mail bag, and springs forming a connection between the opposite sides of the swinging frame and the standards.

13. In a mail bag catching and delivering ap aratus, a support, a substantially rectangu ar frame pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the "support, a triangular frame carried by the rbctangular frame, a rod spaced from the tri-angular frame and disposed parallel with one wall thereof, said rod and triangular frame being adapted tomeceive a mail bag between the same, pins extending from the tri-'angular frame, rings slidably mounted. on said frame and adapted to bear against the pins, springs connecting the rings with the support, relatively stationary and movable bag engaging jaws carried by the rectangulz'ir frame, and a trip lever vpivotally mounted on one of the jaws and adaptedto engage the adjacent jaw for holding said jaws in op n position.

14. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus,A the combination with a support, of a frame pivotally mounted for swinging movementV onsthe support, a relatively stationary jaw carried by the frame a bar slidably mounted on the frame and provided with 'a similar jaw, one of said jaws being formed with an elongated slot, an angularly disposed trip lever pivotally mounted in the slot and having one end thereof arranged to engage the adjacent jaw and its opposite end terminating inan operating hand e, a spring secured to the sliding bar, means for regulat-V,

bag, and yieldable means disfposed on oppo-r sitesides of the swinging ame and. connectedwith the support. 15. In a mail bagcatching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a support, ot a frame pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the support, a rod secured to the upper portion of the frame and having its opposite ends bent inwardly and rearwardly for attachment to theadjacent portionoi 'the frame, pins extending 7 laterally from said rod, a second rod spaced from the pin Icarrying rod and adapted to support a mail bag, rings slidably mounted on the opposite ends of said rods and adapted to engage the pins, bag' engaging jaws carried by the swinging frame, and yieldable means forming a connection between the rings and the support,

, said rings being movable laterally on the inspring connected with the sliding bar, means clined portions of the rod when the mail bag is detached from said rod.

16. In a mail bag catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with spaced standards of different heights and connected by. clamps eachv formed` witha socket, a

Aswinging frame pivotally mountedin said sockets, a rod secured to the frame and bent into a substantially tri-'angular torni, pins secured to said rod, a second rod spaced from the bag carrying rod and forming a support .for a mail bag,rings slidably mounted on said rods and adapted to engage the pins,

springs forming a connection between the rings and the adjacent sides of the swinging l carried by the movable jaw for releasing one ofthe guys when said jaw is moved to closed position.

l 18. In a mailbag catching and delivering apparatus, the combination with a support, of a frame mounted for swinging movement on the support and provided with relatively stationary and movable jaws, guys secured to the stationary jaw, an operating handle i depending from the movable jaw, means carried by the operating handle and adapted to disengage one of the guys when thejjaw is moved to closed position, vand means for swinging the frame laterally when the guy is released.

'19. In a mail bag catching and delivering `v apparatus, the combination with a support,

a Jframe mounted for swinging movement on the support and provided with relatively stationary and movable jaws, fingers depending from the stationary jaw, pins carried by the', fin ers, spaced guys one of which is ,adapte to engage the adjacent Enger and the other the adjacent pin, means carried by the movable jaw for releasing1 the guy Jfrom the depending ngerwh'en t e movable jaw is movedgto' closed position, and means for automatically moving the frame laterally when said guy is released.`

20. In a mail bag catching and delivering of a frame mounted for swinging movement on the support and provided with relatively stationary and movable jaws, arms extending laterally from the stationary jaw and provided with vertically disposed pins, fingers depending from the arms and having hooked terminals, guys disposed on opposite sides of the stationary jaw and provided with terminal rings one of which is adapted to engage the hooked terminal of theadjacent depend. ing finger, the 'ringof the other guy being adapted to engage the pin oi the adjacent iinger, a handle depending from the movable jaw, means carried by-t-he handle for releasing ,the adjacent ring from the hooked ,terminal, and means for automatically moving the swinging-frame laterally when the `ring is released.

21'. In a mail bag catchingl and delivering apparatus, the combination with a support, of a frame mounted for swinging movement on the support and provided with'relatively stationary and'movable gripping jaws, guys detachably secured to the stationary jaw, a handle carried by the movable jaw, oppositely disposed fingers secured to '.he handle and adapted to engage one of the guys for releasing the latter from engagement with the stationary jaw when the movable jaw is moved to closed position, and means t'or automatically swinging the frame 'laterally when said guy wire is released.

apparatus, the combination with a support,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as j my own, l have hereto affixed my signature 1n the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY H. AKERS.

Witnesses A. D. HILEMAN,

M. L. KosER. 

